At Elmwood we desire to create an environment where people of all ages can join in the worship of our great God, and that includes our kids! Depending on the ages of your children, we offer a variety of options. If you would like to see a more consolidated schedule of the information below, click here!
Nursery (0-2yrs):
Safe and fun nursery care is available throughout the entire service, in the Kids Wing. On NextGen mornings (the second and fourth Sunday of each month), nursery care is also provided!
Early Elementary (3yrs-3rd grade):
One of the ways we believe children grow into dedicated followers of Christ is by watching their parents and other role models of the faith regularly worship Jesus. Currently we have our early elementary kids join us at the beginning of the worship gathering. From there they are dismissed to Children’s Sermon Time, where they will engage in age-appropriate learning, conversation, and fellowship with others in their age range. As the worship gathering moves toward taking Communion, the children will be escorted back to the sanctuary and welcomed back in to worship with their caretaker(s).
Along with Children’s Sermon Time, NextGen Kids meets on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. This is a time that is particularly focused on the children receiving solid Bible teaching and engaging in fellowship with those within a reasonable age range. We would love if you would join us for this at 9am!
NOTE: Please know that children are more than welcome to stay in the worship gathering the entire time if that is their or your preference! However, if your child intends to come to Children’s Sermon Time, please take a few moments to sign them in at the check-in station prior to the worship gathering so that team members can keep of those entrusted to their care.
Extended Youth (4th-8th grade):
As kids move from early elementary to our extended youth group, we want to recognize that they are beginning to think deeply about their faith and are in the process of making it their own. They are also forming community with one another that the Lord will use to help reinforce their walk with Him. For those in the extended youth age group, they join the high school youth group at 9am in the Conference Room on the second and fourth Sunday mornings of each month to study God’s word, fellowship together, and have conversations that we hope will fan into flame what Jesus is doing in His young people. We would also encourage our extended youth to begin thinking about serving on different ministry teams as a junior team member.
Youth (9th-12th grade):
As kids get older, we want to acknowledge that they have genuine questions and are wrestling with real decisions in their day to day life. Furthermore, we believe that parents, in partnership with the collective body of Christ, are a child’s first line of discipleship. To that end, Elmwood’s high schoolers will find a safe and accessible space participating in our weekly worship service and serving on ministry teams, where we firmly believe they will experience authentic fellowship and be empowered to be mature followers of Jesus. For those that would like to go deeper, or have a space to discuss faith in Jesus with those of their own age group, our youth group meets on the second and fourth Sunday’s of each month at 9am in the Conference Room at Elmwood!